Council members last month endorsed the idea of asking the city's eight employee organizations to pay their pension contributions or consider some other concessions, such as work furloughs. The unions declined after city management could not guarantee such concessions would prevent layoffs.

Union members and others had asked the council to put off tonight's vote and hold at least three town hall meetings to give residents a chance to fully discuss the proposed cuts and to give employees a chance to suggest alternative ways to cut costs.

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About The State Worker

The Author

Jon Ortiz launched The State Worker blog and a companion column in 2008 to cover state government from the perspective of California government employees. Every day he filters the news through a single question: "What does this mean for state workers?" Join Ortiz for updates and debate on state pay, benefits, pensions, contracts and jobs. Contact him at (916) 321-1043 and at jortiz@sacbee.com.

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